Keeping your business risk information up to date is essential to ensure your insurance cover remains adequate, your premium remains competitive, and your insurer fully understands and accepts your risk.

At DPI, we provide bespoke advice and service when arranging your insurance. If there’s anything you don’t understand or need help with, please don’t hesitate to contact us – we’re here to support you.

Below is a summary of the key areas we typically review at renewal for a Public House Insurance policy and why they are important:

1. Business Description and Activities

We’ll confirm the nature of your operation and any changes since your last renewal, such as:

• Addition of food service or extended kitchen facilities
• Introduction of entertainment (e.g. live music, DJs, karaoke)
• Provision of accommodation or function rooms
• Late trading hours or changes to your alcohol licence

It’s essential to ensure your insurer is fully aware of your trading activities to avoid issues in the event of a claim.

2. Buildings and Contents Sums Insured

It’s vital that your insurance reflects the true value of your assets:

• Buildings (if owned): Should be insured for the full rebuild cost, including professional fees and debris removal.
• Contents, fixtures & fittings, kitchen and bar equipment, and personal effects should be insured on a full replacement basis.
• Stock, including food, beverages, and alcohol, must reflect peak levels, especially around seasonal events. (High-value stock like alcohol and tobacco products must be declared separately)
• Inadequate sums insured may result in claims being proportionally reduced under the ‘average clause’.

For further information, see our downloadable guide: “How to Avoid Underinsurance.”

3. Business Interruption Insurance

This cover protects your income if your pub is unable to trade due to an insured event such as a fire or flood. We’ll review:

• Gross profit or revenue estimate
• Indemnity period – typically 12, 24, or 36 months, depending on how long you may need to fully recover
• Business Interruption is a vital component of pub insurance – ensure your figures are accurate and realistic.

For further information, see our downloadable guide: “How to Avoid Underinsurance.”

4. Employers’ and Public Liability

• Employers’ Liability is legally required if you employ staff. We’ll review your payroll and staff roles, including kitchen, bar, security, and cleaning staff.
• Public Liability protects you against third-party injury or property damage claims – particularly important in pubs due to customer footfall, intoxication risks, and potential accidents.

It’s essential to disclose any use of bouncers, door supervisors, or event-specific security as this may affect cover.

5. Money Cover

We’ll review your cash handling practices:

• On-site cash (including tips, floats, and takings)
• Cash in transit
• Cash held in safes overnight

Ensure declared limits reflect actual amounts handled to avoid shortfalls in the event of theft.

6. Theft and Security Measures

Most insurance policies have standard security conditions relating to theft, that include but are not limited to:

• Locks, shutters and grilles
• Intruder alarms (including whether they are monitored and maintained)
• Ensuring security protections are in force when premises are closed

Let us know if there have been any security upgrades or if your security measures have changed in any way as failure to comply with policy conditions could affect claims

7. Claims History

Reviewing any claims from the previous year’s helps identify potential risk management improvements. Frequent or high-value claims may affect terms at renewal, but demonstrating proactive loss prevention measures can support favourable outcomes.

8. Insurance General Acceptance – Adverse Financial History, Health & Safety Breaches and Criminal History

Commercial insurance is subject to an ongoing fair presentation of risk and insurance contracts are subject to certain standard general acceptance criteria. It is the ongoing responsibility of the policyholder to ensure any adverse financial history, health & safety breaches and criminal history are disclosed as these are considered material facts that directly impact the insurer’s ability to accurately assess risk. Non-disclosure or misrepresentation of such information can lead to serious consequences, including the voiding of the policy, rejection of claims and legal action. Full disclosure ensures transparency, allows insurers to offer suitable terms and helps maintain the integrity of the insurance contract.

Please Note:
This guide is not exhaustive and serves as a general overview and should not be construed as bespoke advice or a personal recommendation. Public House Insurance needs vary depending on your location, size, services, and risk profile